Best 4 Healthy Low Fat Penne Alfredo Or Linguine Recipes

Penne Alfredo or Linguine Alfredo is a popular creamy pasta dish often associated with high fat and calorie content, making it challenging for individuals seeking healthier options. However, with some adjustments and careful ingredient selection, it is possible to create a flavorful and satisfying low-fat version of this classic dish. This article provides a guide to help you prepare a healthier alternative to the traditional Penne Alfredo or Linguine Alfredo, emphasizing reducing fat content while maintaining the creamy texture and delicious taste.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

HEALTHIER CHICKEN ALFREDO PASTA RECIPE BY TASTY

Healthier Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe by Tasty image

Here's what you need: olive oil, chicken breasts, salt, pepper, garlic, flour, chicken broth, skim milk, salt, pepper, spinach, whole grain penne pasta, parmesan cheese

Provided by Alix Traeger

Categories Dinner

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 chicken breasts, cubed
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup skim milk, or milk of choice
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 cups spinach
2 cups whole grain penne pasta, cooked
¼ cup parmesan cheese, optional

Steps:

Heat the olive oil over a skillet and add chicken. Season with salt and pepper, and cook 5-8 minutes, or until no longer pink.
Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
In the same pan, add the garlic and sauté for one minute over medium heat.
Sprinkle the flour over the garlic and slowly add in the chicken stock.
Quickly stir to avoid lumps.
Add in the skim milk, stir ,and allow to reach a boil to thicken sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
Once the sauce is thickened, add in the spinach and stir until wilted.
Remove from heat and add in the cooked penne, chicken, and parmesan. Stir to coat.
Top with fresh parmesan.
Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 722 calories, Carbohydrate 83 grams, Fat 24 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 38 grams, Sugar 7 grams

LOW-CAL FETTUCCINE ALFREDO

Low-Cal Fettuccine Alfredo image

This lighter version of alfredo gives you all the creaminess of the original without loads of heavy cream and butter.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

Ingredients

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1 cup low-fat (2%) milk
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons Neufchâtel or low-fat cream cheese
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
12 ounces fresh fettuccine
Freshly ground pepper

Steps:

Make the sauce: Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and lemon zest and cook until the garlic is slightly soft, about 1 minute. Add in the flour and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and 3/4 teaspoon salt and cook, whisking constantly, until just thickened, about 3 minutes. Add the Neufchâtel and parmesan cheese; whisk until melted, about 1 minute. Stir in the chopped parsley.
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fettuccine and cook until al dente, 2 to 3 minutes. Reserve 1 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta and return to the pot. Add the sauce and 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking water to the pasta and gently toss to combine, adding more cooking water as needed to loosen. Season with salt. Divide among bowls and top with parmesan and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 490 calorie, Fat 15 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Cholesterol 48 milligrams, Sodium 734 milligrams, Carbohydrate 66 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 20 grams

EASY CHICKEN ALFREDO PENNE RECIPE BY TASTY

Easy Chicken Alfredo Penne Recipe by Tasty image

Nothing spells comfort like Italian food. Steaming bowls of pasta, buttery, roasted garlic bread, and tureens of the most flavorful sauces: it's all right there. Sometimes, you want to bring that comfort into your very own kitchen and, well, we've got just the recipe for you. This easy chicken alfredo penne will have you saying 'mangia!' before you even know it.

Provided by Claire Nolan

Categories Dinner

Time 33m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

1 ½ lb chicken breast, cubed
2 tablespoons butter
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
16 oz penne pasta, cooked
¼ cup fresh parsley
¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
½ teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon dried basil
½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper

Steps:

In a pan over medium-high heat, melt butter, then add the chicken breast.
Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and basil. Cook 8-10 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked. Remove from heat and set chicken aside.
In the same pan over medium heat, melt butter and add the garlic. Cook until the garlic begins to soften.
Add half of the flour to the garlic and butter, stirring until incorporated. Then add the rest of the flour and stir.
Pour in the milk a little bit at a time, stirring well in between, until fully incorporated and sauce begins to thicken.
Season with salt, pepper, oregano, and basil, and stir well to incorporate.
Add parmesan cheese and stir until melted.
Pour the sauce over cooked penne pasta, add the chicken and mix well.
Add parsley and extra parmesan. Mix well.
Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : Calories 573 calories, Carbohydrate 64 grams, Fat 16 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 40 grams, Sugar 6 grams

QUICK PENNE ALFREDO WITH SHRIMP AND VEGGIES

Quick Penne Alfredo With Shrimp and Veggies image

I went to "Chilli's" restaurant and had this yummy pasta dish, so I tried to copy it at home and this is what I came up with. It's quick and easy.

Provided by Robin Hollister

Categories One Dish Meal

Time 30m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

Ingredients

1 lb penne pasta
1 (16 ounce) jar alfredo sauce (Ragu)
1 lb raw shrimp
1 (1 lb) package frozen carrots and broccoli mix
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons grill mates seasoning (chicken and fish)
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Steps:

In a large skillet over med-high heat, heat olive oil for 1 minute then add shrimp and chicken and shrimp seasoning. Continue cooking for about 3 minutes until the shrimp are pink.
Cook penne pasta as per package directions; add frozen vegetables to the same pot 5 minutes before pasta is done.
In a large bowl, mix the strained pasta and veggies, with the shrimp and Alfredo sauce.
Sprinkle cayenne pepper on top.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 392.4, Fat 7.4, SaturatedFat 1.1, Cholesterol 115.2, Sodium 114.6, Carbohydrate 61.1, Fiber 8.4, Protein 21.1

Tips:

Use low-fat or non-fat milk and cream to reduce the fat content of the sauce.
Add vegetables to the sauce for a healthier and more flavorful dish. Some good options include broccoli, spinach, and mushrooms.
Use whole wheat pasta instead of regular pasta for a more nutritious meal.
Garnish the dish with fresh herbs, such as basil or parsley, for a pop of flavor and color.
Serve the dish with a side salad or roasted vegetables for a complete and balanced meal.

Conclusion:

These healthy versions of penne Alfredo and linguine Alfredo are a delicious and satisfying way to enjoy your favorite pasta dishes without all the guilt. By using low-fat ingredients and adding healthy vegetables, you can create a meal that is both nutritious and delicious. So next time you're craving pasta, give one of these recipes a try!